Sunday, December 28, 2008

ON THE LAST NITE OF CHANUKAH

Since my mom’s Gingerbread Men recipe already appeared on my blog last year (see the December 24th post)...

Here’s a recipe for making a different -- yet equally delicious-- type of dough suitable for use with cookie cutters and icing.

If you love to bake, chances are you have a collection of cookie cutters. I have dozens. Some are vintage. some are flea market finds. Some are handmade in copper. Some are brand new.

In the same way, Christmas cookies are often baked in the shape of wreaths, trees and Santa Claus, my Chanukah cookie cutters resemble the symbols of the season—a menorah, a star, and a dreidel.

My recipe for Cut Out Cookie Dough works for every faith, holiday, and celebration. Enjoy!

DOUGH FOR CUT OUT COOKIES

1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp almond extract
3 to 4 cups of flour
1 tsp baking soda
Cookie Cutters
Tubes of colored icing

Beat butter at medium speed with a mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating well. Add eggs and almond extract, beating well. Mix flour with baking soda, then add to mixture.

Divide the dough into 4 to 5 rolls. Wrap each one in wax paper and refrigerate overnight, or for up to 4 days.

When you are ready to bake, let dough reach room temperature.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Roll out dough to a 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface, then use cookie cutters to cut out cookies. Transfer cookies to a greased cookie sheet. Bake for about 9 minutes.

Cool on a wire rack before decorating with icing. Makes about 4 dozen medium to large cookies.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

All I can say is, Oh Yum...!!! And WHO has been eating all these cookies..:) I wish I could have been YOUR neighbor this holiday..!

Loved all your recipes and ideas.
Biggest Hugs,
Dianne

FrenchGardenHouse said...

They all look good, Barbara! Hope you had a happy Chanukah ~ and are enjoying this last week of the year.
xo Lidy

Fifi Flowers said...

Happy Chanukah!
Cookies are divine... glad there will be less at my home NOW that the holidays are winding down.

NeereAnDear said...

Theres nothing better than a good butter cookie that you can cut out into shapes... these are a favorite of mine

Thank you for taking us through the eight days of Chanukah!! And a very HAPPY one to you!!

It has been a pleasure enjoying this cookie delight and following your traditon

LOADS OF HUGS

JO

Jennifer Hayslip said...

Hello Miss Barbara!
I hope you had a fabulous Chanukah holiday! Your gingerbread men are so cute and yummy looking. What fabulous recipes you shared with us!
Thanks so much for stopping by and wishing me a great Holiday! It was super nice and the kids had a ball!
Im now gearing up for my Jan shoot. So excited! Wish you could come! :) Smiles, XO Jenn

Anonymous said...

I was looking for a good gingerbread recipe. This one looks great. I will give it a try.

Julie said...

Just stopped by to wish you a very Happy New Year!!

Anonymous said...

Bonne et heureuse Année ! Happy New Year !!!

Barbara said...

More delicious cookies.